The "M" in SMART: Measuring What Matters in Workplace Safety

Last week, we focused on "S" for Specific in the SMART acronym. The critical question now is: How do you know you're progressing toward your specific goal? Once a specific goal is chosen, you need to define the metrics to measure its achievement.

For instance, will the metric be the total number of people trained, or the total number of reported injuries? It could also be money saved, such as reduced insurance costs, or indirect savings like reduced lost manpower hours due to injuries.

Consider this example: your employees use industrial equipment that undergoes periodic maintenance. Under the Lock Out Tag Out program, OSHA 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(B) mandates that "Each affected employee shall be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure." This means all employees working with the equipment must know what to do and whom to contact. Similarly, for first aid responders, OSHA 1910.151 requires that during every shift, a person(s) be adequately trained to render first aid. A good measurement tool in these cases is tracking how many staff members are trained or certified.

A measurable goal could be reducing the number of recordable injuries on OSHA Form 300A. OSHA 1904.7(a) requires companies to record injuries resulting in death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness. Regular first aid, however, is not recorded. Recordable injuries may also fall under "Reportable injuries." Employers must notify OSHA within 8 hours of a death and within 24 hours if an individual requires in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or experiences loss of an eye.

Another measurement is money saved. This can be indirect, such as reductions in lost man-hours or increased productivity due to fewer injuries. Alternatively, it can be direct, such as avoided OSHA fines. OSHA penalties can be as much as $16,550 per Serious, Other-than-Serious, or Failure-to-Abate case. However, Willful or Repeated violations can incur penalties as high as $165,514 per violation. These penalties can be reduced if OSHA inspectors observe an active safety program, evidenced by training records and safety committee meeting minutes.

After identifying the specific goal and its measurement for safety, the next step is determining if the goal is achievable. That will be the focus of our next article.

Reference:

·       Injury Tracking Application Injury Tracking Application (ITA) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

·       Control of Hazardous Energy 1910.147 - The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout). | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

·       Medical Services and First Aid 1910.151 - Medical services and first aid. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

·       Reportable injury Report a Fatality or Severe Injury | Occupational Safety and Health Administration